Capítulo 22: Chapter 22: Whispers of the Flame
The warm glow of the Eternal Flame's fragment still lingered in Azarion's chest as he and Sera trudged through the forest. Despite their victory over the warden, an unshakable unease crept into the air, as though the forest itself held its breath.
"Do you feel that?" Sera asked, glancing around nervously. The once-chaotic noises of chirping birds and rustling leaves had given way to an unnatural silence.
Azarion nodded, gripping the shard tightly. "It's like something is watching us."
The forest path twisted ahead, shrouded in thick fog that clung to the ground like an ethereal shroud. The runes newly etched into the shard glowed faintly, their light pulsing in rhythm with Azarion's heartbeat.
"What do you think that flame fragment did to you?" Sera asked, breaking the silence.
Azarion stopped and looked at the shard in his hand. "It feels like... it's unlocked something. I can't explain it, but I feel stronger, more connected."
"Connected to what?"
"The Flame itself," he replied, his voice heavy with uncertainty. "Or maybe something greater. It's like a voice, whispering in the back of my mind."
Sera frowned. "That sounds... ominous."
Before Azarion could respond, the fog parted, revealing a figure standing in the middle of the path. Cloaked in tattered gray robes, its face obscured by a hood, the figure exuded an unsettling aura.
"Who's there?" Azarion demanded, raising his glowing blade.
The figure tilted its head, the faint outline of a smile visible beneath the hood. "Bearer of the Flame, your journey has only begun," it said in a voice that sounded like many speaking at once.
Sera raised her bow, aiming an arrow at the figure. "What do you want?"
"To warn you," the figure replied. "The fragment you carry is a beacon. Its light draws both salvation and ruin. Beware the darkness it calls to."
Azarion stepped forward cautiously. "Who are you?"
The figure chuckled softly. "A servant of the Eternal Flame, as you will soon become. But tread carefully, Azarion. The Flame burns brighter in those who accept its burden—but it consumes just as fiercely."
With those cryptic words, the figure raised a hand. Shadows swirled around it, and in an instant, it dissolved into the mist.
"What was that about?" Sera asked, lowering her bow.
"I don't know," Azarion admitted, his grip tightening on the shard. "But it seems we're not the only ones after the Flame."
As they pressed on, the forest path grew steeper, leading them to the base of a massive mountain. Jagged cliffs loomed overhead, and a narrow trail carved into the rock spiraled upward into the clouds.
"This must be the next trial," Azarion said, studying the path.
Sera grimaced. "I hope you're not afraid of heights."
The climb was grueling. Loose rocks skittered underfoot, and the winds howled as if trying to push them back. Azarion's newfound strength kept him steady, but Sera struggled to keep her footing.
"Hold on," Azarion said, extending a hand to help her over a particularly treacherous ledge.
"Thanks," she muttered, wiping sweat from her brow. "Next time, let's take a route that doesn't involve death traps."
As they neared the summit, the wind grew stronger, carrying with it a faint hum. The sound grew louder with each step until they reached a plateau where an ancient temple stood. Its crumbling stone walls were covered in glowing runes similar to those on the shard.
"Another trial," Azarion murmured, stepping toward the temple's entrance.
Sera placed a hand on his shoulder. "Wait. Look."
Ahead of them, a massive guardian lay in wait—a serpent-like creature with scales that shimmered like molten gold. Its eyes were orbs of liquid fire, and its fanged maw dripped with magma.
The creature coiled around the temple's entrance, its body large enough to encircle the entire structure. It watched them with unblinking intensity, its forked tongue flicking the air.
Azarion's blade ignited with golden light. "Looks like we've found our gatekeeper."
Sera nocked an arrow, her expression steely. "Got a plan?"
"Hit it fast, hit it hard, and don't get eaten," Azarion said, stepping forward.
The serpent hissed, its body unwinding as it reared up. It lunged at Azarion with terrifying speed, but he rolled to the side, slashing at its neck. The blade connected, but the serpent's molten scales absorbed most of the impact, the golden light barely leaving a scratch.
"It's tougher than it looks!" Azarion shouted, dodging another strike.
Sera loosed an arrow aimed for the creature's eye, but the serpent twisted its head, the arrow glancing off its armored hide.
"We need to find a weak spot," Sera called out.
Azarion's mind raced as he parried the serpent's attacks. He noticed faint cracks along its underbelly, glowing brighter each time the serpent moved.
"The cracks!" he shouted. "Go for the underbelly!"
Sera nodded, circling the serpent as Azarion distracted it. She fired a series of arrows, each one striking the glowing cracks. The serpent let out an ear-splitting roar, its movements growing erratic as molten blood seeped from its wounds.
Azarion seized the opening, channeling the shard's power into his blade. The golden light intensified, and with a powerful leap, he drove the blade into the largest crack on the serpent's belly.
The creature thrashed wildly, its roars echoing across the mountain, but Azarion held firm, driving the blade deeper until the serpent collapsed with a final, shuddering hiss.
As the serpent's body disintegrated into golden light, the temple's entrance began to glow, the runes on its surface pulsing in time with the shard.
Azarion turned to Sera, his breath heavy but triumphant. "One trial down. Who knows how many more to go?"
Sera smirked, lowering her bow. "Let's hope the next one doesn't involve giant fire snakes."
Together, they stepped into the temple, unaware of the greater dangers that lay ahead.
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